Ararat Joss House
Date Published
: Temples / Joss House, Mining (gold fields)
: Central Goldfields (Vic)
: Ararat
: 1873
Ararat Joss House
"JOSS HOUSE. An interesting ceremony took place last week at the Chinese Camp, the opening of a Joss House for the behoof of the Mongolians settled in the district." "The building now opened is by no means an imposing structure, being of weatherboard and of very modest dimensions." "In the Joss House an altar is raised at the west end, ornamented in a fantastic way with glided em- blematical figures, joss sticks, and peacock's feathers; and over this is a portrait of Quan-woon-Tung, budding all over with good nature; of his son at his feet; of a fine man of most amicable countenance on horseback his assistant; and of most villainous com- pound of brute strength and sensual wicked ness-his servant. A pleasant incense rose from the numerous joss sticks burning around, and from a brick stove in front fed by occasional contributions of paper and gold leaf from the hands of the celebrants. Outside the doors were three sets of tables, under a canopy, literally groaning under the weight of baked meats, fruits dried and pre- served, the greatest profusion being heaped on the table nearest the door. Two large pigs beautifully roasted, with crackling done to a turn, flanking a goat which had not seen the fire, but had yielded its outer coat to the razor. Entrees of dried fish, birds's nests, sliced liver, boar's head served up in black strips, fowls, cunningly carved and very temptingly displayed, sweetmeats and maccaroni, were mixed up with joss sticks, small cups, curious teapots, etc. In a build adjoining some dozen more of pigs, several goats, and fowls by the score were undergoing the process of cooking at the hand of professed cooks, who evidently understood their business. Shortly before eleven o'clock the explosion of three maroons at stated intervals gave the signal of the commencement of the ceremony; and the three-corned flag of China was run up to the top of the flagstaff."
Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser, 14 April 1873. p.4.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197044461
Pig roasting without pig oven? Triangular flag
